![4 spots for openers in Asia Cup [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com, @BCCI/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1754558990740_4spotsforasiacupopener.jpg?type=mq)
4 spots for openers in Asia Cup [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com, @BCCI/x.com]
India's tour of England has come to an end, and now the focus shifts towards the upcoming Asia Cup, which is set to commence next month in the UAE. Just like the previous editions, India will start as the favourites to clinch the trophy, as the Men in Blue boast a formidable squad.
India's headache heading into Asia Cup
Once Hardik Pandya stated that India has a plethora of talent, and if needed, the selectors could field two different T20I sides. The statement could actually turn true as the team management has plenty to choose from for the Asia Cup.
One area where India needs plenty to ponder is the opening slot. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were the two designated openers, and the duo did well in the recent series. However, as per reports, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are also in contention for the opening slot. With just 2 slots to be filled, India havd 4 solid contenders.
Who will open in the Asia Cup?. Gill-Jaiswal, or Samson-Abhishek?. In this piece we shed light on their T20I numbers.
What the T20I numbers say about the 4 contenders?
| Criterion | Sanju Samson | Abhishek Sharma | Shubman Gill | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Matches | 42 | 17 | 21 | 23 |
| Runs | 861 | 535 | 578 | 723 |
| Average | 25.32 | 33.43 | 30.42 | 36.15 |
| Strike rate | 152.38 | 193.84 | 139.23 | 164.31 |
(T20I numbers of the four players)
- As the data suggests, India has four solid opening contenders, and all of them have done well for India in the T20I format. However, if we analyse the numbers, then Jaiswal stands out the most. He is consistent in his scoring rates, as seen with his average (36.15), and the batter also has a brilliant strike rate of 164.31.
- While Shubman Gill has performed exceptionally well in the last couple of IPL seasons, his T20I numbers don't reflect the same, and perhaps he is the weak link amongst the four members mentioned here.
- Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson have cemented their place in the T20I side, but they too, lack consistency. However, what goes in Samson's favour is that India do not have a reliable keeper to fill in his shoes, and he could be the one opening the batting for India in the Asia Cup.
Eliminate Gill, Abhishek, go in with Samson-Jaiswal
Cricket is a harsh game, and sometimes, a person who has scored truckloads of runs could get unlucky. This could be the case with Abhishek Sharma, who could be sacrificed to accommodate other candidates, and here's why.
Why Abhishek Sharma could be left out
As talented as he is, Abhishek Sharma has the potential to be one of the best openers for India in T20Is, but the UAE conditions demand more than just reckless strokes. In the IPL, it has often been observed that when the surface gets a bit tricky, the SRH opener tends to struggle and fails to get his timing right. In UAE, he will get sluggish wickets, and his gung-ho approach might not be suitable there.
Why Gill shouldn't be the first choice opener
Team India might be tempted to lean towards Gill after his stellar Test campaign in England, but here's why he shouldn't be the first-choice opener. As his T20I numbers say, Gill has had a decent T20I journey, but his stats are not that promising. Plus, with a T20I strike rate of just 139, his approach in the game's shortest format often gets criticised.
The Men in Blue would need a third opener in the side, and Gill could be that, but he shouldn't be a automatic starter over the next two names about to be mentioned.
Why Jaiswal-Samson is the right choice in Asia Cup
- The duo has been playing together for nearly 5 years in the IPL, as they represent the Rajasthan Royals. They know each other's game well and have done brilliantly as a pair in the IPL.
- Moreover, India does not have a solid Samson replacement in the squad - someone who could keep wickets. Plus, the Kerala batter has done well in recent years for India.
| Criterion | Data |
| Matches | 12 |
| Runs | 417 |
| Hundreds | 3 |
| Strike rate | 183.7 |
(Samson stats in last three T20I series)
As the numbers suggest, Samson has done extremely well in the recent few months, and has 3 centuries under his belt.
- Talking about Jaiswal, he has been the most consistent opener of the four, and India have been backing him to get a breakthrough in all three formats.
- Jaiswal is an all-condition player, and has the capability to adapt in different situations, as we witnessed during the Test series vs England.
Final verdict
India have four solid choices, but only two can fill in. While Abhishek Sharma has done well in the past, his inability to play on difficult tracks makes him a vulnerability. Plus, India need a solid keeper in the side, and there is no better choice than Samson.
Gill could be the third choice opener, and that leaves us with the second opening spot - which should be given to Jaiswal for his consistent run-scoring and strike rate.
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